Gauff describes 'draining' days after online racist abuse ahead of China Open exit
Coco Gauff said on 7 October 2026 she had a "draining" few days after receiving racist abuse online before her fourth-round exit at the China Open, and she was beaten 6-3 6-3 by Elise Mertens in that match.
The abuse followed an incident in Gauff's third-round victory over 16-year-old Sun Xinran on Monday, when Sun believed she had hit a winner late in the first set and play was halted after Gauff raised her hand because of a flickering light in the side panels surrounding the court. Players are allowed to request a video review; the point was replayed and Gauff won it, going on to clinch the match. The 22-year-old later posted a lengthy statement explaining what had happened.
Gauff said she had faced an "insane" amount of racist comments and direct messages after the Sun incident and that the experience had taken a toll. Asked how she had felt over the past 36 hours, Gauff said: "It has been kind of draining, I'm not going to lie. "I just turn off my phone and move on. I mean, there's nothing you can do." She also condemned the abusive responses in her statement.
A spokesperson for the Women's Tennis Association said it was appalled by the abuse and added it was in contact with Gauff "to offer our full support". A statement given to the news agency AFP said the governing body was "seeking action" against the abusive content. The WTA's response followed public attention on the online messages sent after the third-round review.
On-court, Gauff committed 34 unforced errors and eight double faults against Mertens. After the match she said: "I was just a bit flat. That's the main thing," Gauff said. "The level was there at some points, I just didn't sustain it the whole match."
Iga Swiatek beat American teenager Iva Jovic 6-1 6-3 to advance at the China Open. Swiatek is a six-time major champion. Jovic is described in reports as an American teenager.
Belgium's Mertens will play former world number one Iga Swiatek in the quarter-finals.